Pawlet-Town-Plan-Adopted-February-2-2016

TOWN PLAN Adopted: February 2, 2016 Acknowledgements Pawlet Planning Commission Eric Mach, Chairman Paul Elsholz, Vice Chairman Lenny Gibson, Secretary Fred Stone Gary Baierlein Wayne Clarke Harry Van Meter Elizabeth Gibson, Acting Clerk Many hours of volunteer work preparing and writing parts of this plan were contributed by The Pawlet Energy Group: Susan LaPorte, Ken Friedman, Elizabeth Gibson, Nancy Morlino, Harry Van Meter; The Agriculture Working Group: Fred Stone, Philip Ackerman-Leist, Timothy Hughes-Muse, Donald Campbell, and John Malcom; and Emergency Management Director and Health Officer Bob Morlino A sincere thank you to the many people of Pawlet who contributed photos to this Town Plan Pawlet Selectboard Mike Beecher, Chairman Sarah Ludlam, Vice Chairman Bob Jones Edgar Cleveland Charles Weeden Edward Bove Barbara Noyes Pulling Steve Schild Monika Ganguly-Kiefner Susan Schreibman Mary Lamson Kitt Shaw Mary Kay Skaza Prepared with the assistance of a FY15 Municipal Planning Grant from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the Rutland Regional Planning Commission Table of Contents I INTRODUCTION II OBJECTIVES and IMPLEMENTATION III LAND USE and RELATED RESOURCES 10 IV TRANSPORTATION 22 V UTILITIES and FACILITIES 27 VI ECOLOGICAL, SCENIC, and HISTORIC RESOURCES 37 VII EDUCATION and CHILD CARE 43 VIII ENERGY 49 IX HOUSING 57 X FLOOD RESILIENCE 62 XI REGIONAL and SURROUNDING TOWN COMPATIBILITY 68 XII ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 70 Appendices 78 I INTRODUCTION The Pawlet Planning Commission has prepared this Pawlet Town Plan under the authority of the Selectboard The Commission will present this Plan for a warned public hearing After the public hearing input is considered, the Plan will be forwarded to the Selectboard for their own warned public hearing, where further input will be considered before the Selectboard vote on approval and subsequent submission to the Rutland Regional Planning Commission for its review This Plan is prepared pursuant to VSA 24, Chapter 117: Municipal and Regional Planning and Development The Pawlet Town Plan is devised to be compatible with that Statute, with the Rutland Regional Plan, and with approved plans from adjoining communities This Plan seeks to reflect the objectives and needs of Pawlet’s citizens and may be used as a guide to the future growth and development of the Town In preparing this Plan, the results of a survey reported in Appendix C have been accounted Additionally, a special effort has been made to consider:  all types of uses in the Town—including farming, residential, commercial, and industrial  all types of residents—including young and old, working and retired, seasonal and year-round  all socioeconomic levels II OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION OBJECTIVES The purpose of this Plan is to guide development according to the following major objectives of the Town of Pawlet: Promote the health, safety, and general welfare of all the inhabitants Protect and conserve the value of property Conserve and encourage the value of community, as reflected in the examples of:  volunteerism  neighborhood cohesion  spontaneous assistance offered by townspeople to each other  social supports provided by churches, schools, scouts, 4-H, and other formal and informal groups Maintain the integrity of Pawlet and West Pawlet as respective villages within the framework of the Town Achieve the best possible quality of environment for the Town’s residents Provide appropriate sites in the Town for residences that will be required by population growth in the foreseeable future, including accommodating the need for affordable housing Minimize the tax burden on property owners by maintaining a community that operates efficiently and economically Emphasize the Town’s support of a diverse farming economy, where both large and small operations help sustain the community, recognizing and respecting the differing needs of both farmers and non-farmers Encourage the maintenance and conservation of agricultural lands for the production of agricultural products, and promote soil conservation practices that protect the long-term productivity and viability of agricultural soils 10 Support and promote the critical mass of external infrastructure that agriculture requires 11 Permit, where appropriate, commercial and industrial enterprises that provide gainful employment for Town residents and augment the tax base of the Town 12 Encourage the continuance of home and cottage industries in the Town 13 Keep the rugged and more remote mountain and forest areas free from development, reserving them for forestry and other uses appropriate to their wilderness character 14 Develop long range plans for recreation and education in cooperation with other towns and the region 15 Develop long range plans for public water supply and sewage disposal systems for village areas In areas not served by the public systems, require a population density low enough to insure the permanent feasibility of private water supply and sewage disposal IMPLEMENTATION General In view of these major objectives, specific topics to be implemented follow Implementation must be achieved through (1) changing and adopting zoning regulations and other land use controls, (2) making inclusions in the capital improvement budget as part of the Town’s financial planning process, (3) developing policies, (3) cooperating with other government agencies, (4) pursuing various studies, and (5) educating residents Most of the responsibility for implementation rests with either the Planning Commission or the Selectboard Sometimes one body is primarily responsible, sometimes both share responsibility and must work together For some issues the Emergency Manager needs to take a significant role, and sometimes the Energy Group Both, however, operate under the oversight of the Selectboard, and the cooperation of the Selectboard is essential to accomplish implementation Keeping the Selectboard informed is therefore necessary in all cases Land Use and Zoning The Planning Commission has a central role for developing ordinances and policies in the Land Use and Zoning Bylaws - with the approval of the Selectboard Agriculture One of the principal concerns of the Planning Commission in respect to land use and zoning is preserving the agricultural heritage of the Town and developing the agricultural future of the Town To this the Planning Commission must stay in dialog with all those engaged in agricultural pursuits, encourage public awareness of agricultural issues and needs and conservation issues, and attend to the various infrastructure concerns that are necessary to support agricultural activity Matters relevant for consideration of agriculture are detailed throughout this plan, especially in Section III Land Use, Section VI Ecological, Scenic, and Historic Resources, and Section XII Economic Development Other land use concerns the Planning Commission must address include the effect of regulations in the various zones and any issues that call for modification or refinement of regulations Floodplain and other fluvial issues have come especially to prominence after the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene, and these issues often require working with appropriate State, regional, and Federal agencies Solar siting is another issue that has come much to the fore, one that directly affects agricultural land use Transportation The Selectboard has primary responsibility for transportation and utilities and facilities in the Town The Selectboard is the authority for a number of transportation issues, in many cases securing cooperation from the Agency of Transportation Safety concerns are prominent highway issues, especially involving vehicle speed and pedestrian and bicycle safety Grant funding can be pursued for addressing these issues Regarding Town highways, the emergency situation created by Tropical Storm Irene has given importance to improving Chet Clark Road because it could provide the only route of travel between Pawlet and West Pawlet in severe flooding that impairs connections via State roadways Utilities and Facilities A number of issues developed in this planning process require attention by the Selectboard and the Planning Commission:        Drinking water Stormwater drainage Sewage Emergency Services Town Hall Capital Budget Recreation Ecological, Scenic, and Historical Resources The Town should continually seek funding and other means to:       Preserve the quality of its natural resources Sustain its natural habitat and the wildlife it supports Preserve its air quality and the scenic views that are enhanced by the air’s clarity Protect the quality of its rivers and streams Develop and promote the recreational opportunities afforded by these resources Maintain and enhance the Town’s historic resources Education Education is almost exclusively the concern of the Pawlet and Unified School Boards The Mettawee School would like the help of both the Planning Commission and the Selectboard in these ways:    Publicize openness to visits by parents and other community residents Develop the School’s partnership with emergency management Support its function as a Red Cross shelter Significant funding for purchase of an emergency generator is being pursued, but more is needed through donation or otherwise to fund the purchase An ancillary concern that is developing for the Town is the potential consolidation of districts in the Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union This could result in the loss of Pawlet’s special designation of Granville middle and high schools for Pawlet students Energy The Pawlet Energy Coordinator and Group have made a number of recommendations for the Town in the course of the current planning process It especially recommends that the Pawlet Selectboard confirm its support of the policies and recommendations outlined here and work with the Pawlet Energy Group to make Pawlet a place where energy resources are used so as to minimize consumption, cost, and environmental impact The Energy Group asks that the Selectboard set an example of energy efficiency with its properties and that it develop effective outreach programs for educating residents about important energy programs and resources, including PACE, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, Efficiency Vermont and Green Mountain Power Recommendations for the Pawlet Energy Group itself: The Pawlet Energy Coordinator and Group should develop a comprehensive list of energyrelated programs to be implemented over the next five years and update this list for the Selectboard each year The energy group should also continue to network with other town energy groups and keep informed of relevant regional and statewide events, such as the annual VECAN meeting, other climate change conferences, and the Rutland Regional Planning Commission Flood Resilience Flood resilience involves another set of issues that have come to the fore after the flooding caused by tropical storm Irene These issues, like others raised by Irene, often require working with appropriate regional and State agencies These issues include development concerns about not worsening flooding, as well as flood hazard area mapping, restoring natural river functions, and storm water issues Emergency management is another concern related to flood resilience Issues include providing assured emergency communication between the fire departments and the highway department Coordination and outreach efforts are yet another aspect of flood resilience, planning emergency operations, educating about flood hazards, and communicating effectively with State agencies and neighboring towns Economic Development A central factor in Pawlet’s economic development is maintaining the character of the Town that makes it attractive to new residents in terms of its school, its community nature, and its aesthetic The Planning Commission and the Selectboard must strive jointly to:     Provide an economic climate that encourages and grows the sort of small businesses, trades, and occupations, that have thrived in the Town, and leverage past success to promote new enterprises Preserve the Town’s agricultural heritage and encourage development of new agricultural projects Foster commercial incubation by developing means that bring together Pawlet’s business people, its creative people, its not-for-profit people, its educators, and others who could provide ideas and interactive stimulation Promote business opportunities afforded by fiber optic infrastructure THE FUTURE OF OUR TOWN WILL REFLECT THE BALANCE WE ARE ABLE TO STRIKE BETWEEN PRESERVING THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE OF PAWLET AND ENCOURAGING LOCAL BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE KEY TO THIS PROCESS IS ENGAGING THE LOCAL RESIDENTS IN TOWN PLANNING AND OTHER ASPECTS OF TOWN GOVERNMENT AND ENCOURAGING YOUNG, TALENTED PEOPLE TO LIVE IN PAWLET -survey respondent The Planning Commission must keep Village Center designations current and pursue the opportunities that the designations afford, including State and federal grant opportunities The Commission must explore options to continue to meet the needs of its residents for safe and affordable housing The official website of the Town of Pawlet, www.pawlet.vt.gov, provides extensive information and could be used to greater advantage by the Town The Mettawee School ensures digital literacy for the Town’s children, and peer influence fosters digital literacy in many adults Digital means have become a fundamentally useful basis for implementing the Town’s plans III LAND USE AND RELATED RESOURCES LOCATION Pawlet is located 25 miles southwest of Rutland on Vermont’s western boundary The closest urban concentration is the Village of Granville, just across the New York State line to the west Adjacent towns to Pawlet are Wells on the north, Danby on the east, Rupert to the south and Granville and Hebron, New York, to the west Location of Pawlet in the Rutland Region POPULATION DISTRIBUTION In the 2010 U.S Census, the population of Pawlet was 1,477 The Town is rural in nature with several population concentrations The two major population centers are Pawlet Village, located at the junction of Routes 30 and 133, and West Pawlet, located at the junction of Route 153 with Railroad Street and Egg Street, close to the Town border with Granville, New York The Town offices are located in Pawlet Village West Pawlet developed around the former railroad depot and the slate industry, which operated numerous quarries in the vicinity Smaller concentrations of population are located at Spruce Gum (east of West Pawlet) North Pawlet, Spanktown (north of Pawlet Village), the Town Hill development (east of Pawlet Village), and Jockey Street (south of Pawlet Village) The area on Route 149 adjacent to the 10 commercial activities that are facilitated by the development of the digital/electronic/computer realm and its Internet manifestations They include illustration, graphic design, publishing, and video production Besides dairy cows, beef, sheep, goats, and alpacas are raised There are small vegetable farms, seasonal maple syrup operations and niche activities that add value to farm products, including cheese-making and specialty foods Pawlet’s natural conditions provide a fertile environment for developing new agricultural endeavors One of the major prospects for Pawlet’s agricultural future is the development of value-added operations Consider Bardwell Farm is exemplary It has been making nationally award winning cheeses for the past dozen years and employs over 20 full and part time local people Its direct operation is now making 100K pounds of cow and goat cheese annually Plus its own livestock, it is keeping two bovine dairies in operation by sourcing With its own operations, sourcing, and cooperative marketing support of other businesses it is supporting numerous families The Consider Bardwell Farm model reveals possibilities that are significant for the future of agriculture in Pawlet, not only by demonstrating the importance of value-added agriculture The model also shows how networking can enhance the growth of partners and other entities in the network What is more, Consider Bardwell Farm has become a source of inspiration for other farmers The Agriculture Working Group has advanced a number of other ideas with possibilities for agriculture-empowered economic development:  The creation of multiple value-added opportunities for farmers and food entrepreneurs  Appropriate zoning and town support for additional processing infrastructure  Recognition, support, and celebration of the town's remaining dairy infrastructure  Strategic support of local markets for farm products, including the historic Mach's General Store and other direct market and aggregated market opportunities  The strategic establishment of agritourism as a complementary means of income for farmers and others by virtue of making Pawlet a destination for agricultural and artisanal products  Enhancement of educational efforts in the Mettawee Community School and other associated educational institutions by exploring Pawlet's agricultural heritage with increased on-farm experiences and farmer class visits, as well as further development of school gardens, local food purchasing, and vocational training 73  Strategic pursuit and development of a local "Mettawee Made" branding campaign for food, agriculture, arts, and crafts  Further development of value-added forestry products and custom logging operations to support farmers and other landowners  Careful monitoring that the town maintains a "critical mass of agriculture" such that vital supporting enterprises (equipment dealers, veterinarians, etc.) are able to remain viable  Fostering an additional and diverse array of food/agriculture sector jobs with fair wages  Focused town-wide celebrations of Pawlet's agricultural heritage and future that build town pride and identity Agritourism A potential complement to agritourism is the recent development of what’s generically called Air B-n-B, or short-term residential rentals Pawlet has not been a tourist destination in the recent past as have been nearby lakes and seasonal resorts Perhaps because of this it has not had inns or other such accommodations Developments such as Air B-n-B potentially address this lack, as well as make small Bed and Breakfast operations possible, which could dovetail with agritourism developments Air B-n-B itself has begun to provide significant added income for Pawlet and nearby residents It also brings new kinds of tourists to the Town, who while looking for activities off the regular tourist track, serendipitously discover the vistas of the Mettawee Valley Air B-n-B is an important example of business development profoundly facilitated by the Internet, which has become a dramatic means of disintermediation and delocalization of commercial and other enterprise Pawlet is in now a unique position to take advantage of the Internet, because VTEL’s deployment of gigabyte optical fiber provides connectivity with speeds greater than can be had in many urban and suburban areas in the US As a relatively new development, the Air B-n-B opens up a new channel in between standard rentals and inns and hotels in the hospitality spectrum Consequently, there is no regulatory perspective yet developed on this hospitality format Pawlet should work with appropriate State agencies and legislators to develop a supportive regulatory framework The digital realm The high degree of digital connectivity provided by fiber optic is very attractive to people who desire to live in a rural environment and work over the Internet It can also provide employment opportunities for residents who wish to develop effective skills for operating in the digital world, which opens enormous opportunities for work It also allows freelancing with skills people already have The major requirement for successful work in the digital realm is education Fortunately, the Internet provides access to proliferating educational and training opportunities While these opportunities can readily be pursued from home, shared society can provide encouragement 74 for people engaging them By fully developing its connectivity the Library could provide a supportive incubation space, especially if it were to undertake some coffee house functions This could add to the service the library currently provides by offering meeting space to local groups The major stimulus for business and economic development is creativity Fostering creativity is facilitated by bringing people with ideas that can promote commerce together Pawlet cannot accomplish this on the scale of population dense location, but it could promote creativity by looking for ways to bring together its business people, its creative people, its not-for-profit people, its educators, and others who could provide ideas and interactive stimulation The Town can immediately work to develop a comprehensive listing of businesses and other endeavors in Pawlet to feature on its Web site, with links in turn to Web sites of those businesses and endeavors, as a means of enhancing the economic climate of the Town and promoting the Town’s presence in the larger world of tourism and potential clientele Village Centers Pawlet Village and West Pawlet have been designated as Village Centers by the State of Vermont, as authorized by 24 V.S.A §2793(a) Village Center designations can be used to protect and enhance the characteristics of areas valued by the community The Town can use the designation as one means of managing economic growth to ensure the future of its tax base and quality of life Effective use depends on residents organizing into groups to hatch ideas and carry them to fruition A supportive attitude toward such endeavors by the Town bodies and officers can be an important means of helping them succeed Village Center designations need to be renewed every five years The Planning Commission will work with the Regional Planning Commission to reinstate village designations and keep them current The West Pawlet Village Center suffered a blow when its general store was destroyed by fire a few years ago, and the rebuilding effort failed despite support from residents, leaving only a partially completed new construction An attempt to repair this situation could provide economic stimulus to West Pawlet The recent development of a bed and breakfast and an out-of-the-home prepared food business offer means to fill the gap and more The Town must consider the importance of nourishing such 75 endeavors, especially at their beginning stages, as important to economic development Pawlet Village has lost a general store to business exigencies, but there are plans well underway to repurpose much of the building that housed it into a brew pub A second nearby general store still operates successfully, and there are two other restaurants nearby, as well as a few other businesses The main constraints on development in the Pawlet Village center are the lack of sewer infrastructure and severely limited parking A current investigation under the auspices of the Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District holds promise of addressing the wastewater situation in Pawlet Village An initiative by the Town to analyze and develop proposals for parking could be a helpful spur for Village development SUMMARY Pawlet’s population growth and growth rate has been steady and moderate over the last four decades The number of its households have grown, only slightly slowing down since 1990 The household size dropped significantly from 1970 to 1990, but has leveled off since This has created a comfortable trajectory for development Demographically there has been a dramatic increase in the median age of the population, from 36 in 1990 to 44 in 2010 This reflects national trends, except they have been held down by immigration Lacking this, the worry for Pawlet is a decrease in the number of residents in their prime working years Employment has shifted most notably from manufacturing to education, health, and personal services, but the unemployment rate has remained substantially below state and national rates Inflation adjusted income, which increased for both households and families from 1980, in 2010 has not grown for families and leveled off for households Over three decades family income has grown compared to Rutland County and is now 97% of the County average, but it stands at only 83% currently compared to the State Household income, however, has grown as a percentage of both, currently at 94% of State and 108% of County medians Most of the economic data suggests Pawlet is doing relatively well, but a number of issues in this Plan point out the need to keep working on various fronts so that Pawlet will keep abreast of its needs and move effectively forward in the face of an ever more rapidly changing economic and demographic environment Some critical issues:  Maintain the character of the Town that makes it attractive to new residents, in terms, at least, of its school, its community nature, and its aesthetic  Provide an economic climate that encourages and grows the sort of small businesses, trades, and occupations, that have thrived in the Town and leverage past success to promote new endeavor 76  Preserve the Town’s agricultural heritage and encourage development of new agricultural endeavors  Foster economic development by seeking ways to bring together Pawlet’s business people, its creative people, its not-for-profit people, its educators, and others who could provide ideas and interactive stimulation  Promote business opportunities afforded by the fiber optic infrastructure  Develop a comprehensive listing of businesses and other endeavors in Pawlet to feature on its Web site, with links in turn to Web sites of those businesses and endeavors, as a means of enhancing the economic climate of the Town and promoting the Town’s presence in the larger world of tourism and potential clientele of the Town’s offerings  Keep Village Center designations current  Investigate design possibilities for providing more parking access in Pawlet Village 77 APPENDICES A Maps a) Transportation b) Future Land Use c) Education and Community Facilities d) Natural Resources e) Natural Resources B Survey 2015 a) Results b) Survey Form C Endnotes 78 a) Transportation 79 b) Future Land Use 80 c) Education and Community Facilities 81 d) Natural Resources 82 e) Natural Resources 83 Appendix B a) Results of 2015 Pawlet Survey This was a non-randomized survey Its results, therefore, are only suggestive, not definitive It gathered responses mostly by mail and some by an online method Demographic Three quarters of the people responding to this survey have lived in Pawlet more than ten years and half of the others more than five years The average household has three people Approximately 80% of the people responding to the survey use email Facebook is used by many Approximately 25% of the respondents use the Town website Most respondents get their news from TV or radio Many also read a newspaper Ranking Items Approximately 40% of respondents indicate that they think protecting farms and farmland are the most important of all choices offered for regarding Pawlet’s future No other choice comes even close nor is outstanding 84 b) SURVEY FORM Are you a (check one) □ full-time resident or □ part-time resident Approximately how long have you lived in Pawlet? □ less than years □ 3-5 years □ 5-10 years □ more than 10 years How many people live in your household? _ Circle each of the following age groups that any member of your household belongs to: ⁞ years old or under ⁞ Do you use (check all that apply): ⁞ 6-18 years old ⁞ ⁞ 19-44 years old ⁞ ⁞ 65 years or older⁞ □ email □ the Pawlet Town Website □ Facebook □ Twitter □ other social media (specify) _ □ TV Station(s) □ Radio Station(s) □ Newspaper(s) □ Pawlet Newsletter □ Pawlet eNews □ Website(s) Do you get your local news from (check all that apply and identify): CIRCLE ONE RESPONSE TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: What is your opinion of the rate Pawlet is growing? much too slow │ too slow │ about right │ too fast │ much too fast Should Pawlet encourage development of some affordable residences for young, local families? definitely yes │ probably │ don’t know │ probably not │ definitely not Should Pawlet encourage development of some suitable residences for elderly of the Town? definitely yes │ probably │ don’t know │ probably not │ definitely not 85 How much should Pawlet spend on education? much less │ somewhat less │ same as now │ somewhat more │ much more Should Pawlet encourage its artists, craftspeople, and other small-scale entrepreneurs? very much │ probably │ don’t know │ probably not │ definitely not How much importance farming and agriculture have for Pawlet’s future? very much │ moderate │ don’t know │ little │ none How much importance volunteer activities have for making Pawlet a good place to live? very much │ moderate │ don’t know │ little │ none Should Pawlet develop policies concerning renewable energy? definitely yes │ probably │ don’t know │ probably not │ definitely not From the list of items below choose up to five you think are very important for Pawlet’s future Write the letter of the item you consider the most important after ‘1st choice,’ write the letter of the next most important item after ‘2nd choice,’ and so forth: 1st choice _; 2nd choice _; 3rd choice _; 4th choice _; 5th choice _ A- Protecting farms and farmland L-Other (specify) _ B-Developing public transportation C-Encouraging community activities D-Developing flood resiliency E-Improving roads and bridges F-Preserving historic sites and structures G-Preventing pollution of streams, wells, and other water sources H-Supporting employment training J-Encouraging young families and people to live in Pawlet K-Strengthening the sense of community 86 Appendix C: Endnotes All data cited in this document is drawn from the 2010 United States Census data, unless otherwise stated Definition of median: When a series of home prices, for example, is arranged in increasing values, the median value is the value that half the prices are greater than and half are less than It is usually gives a better characterization than an average, or mean, does 87